Soap Box Derby scheduled for June 18

The 10th annual Clovis Soap Box Derby is scheduled to take place June 18.

Beginning at 9 a.m. on Sycamore Street near Yucca Middle School, the race gives youngsters an opportunity to race cars they have built.

Youngsters build cars from kits with the help of an adult. The winner will get to go on to the All-American Soap Box Derby national race in Akron, Ohio, in July.

The Soap Box Derby tradition began in 1933 in Dayton, Ohio, when a news photographer encountered three boys racing engineless homemade cars down an inclined back street. He told them to return to race again the next week for a prize and the tradition grew, according to the All-American Soap Box Derby website.

Races are held in towns within 40 states across the country in anticipation of the July Derby.

Last year, Clovis’ winner Daulton Hatley made it into the third round in Akron, Ohio, and set a record as the Clovis racer to advance the farthest in the race.

Racers are ages 10 to 18, though organizers have said the majority of local competitors are 14-15 years old.

Admission to the race is free and spectators are encouraged with the race typically lasting about two hours.